Hot off the press / Menhaden Update for netters & dealers

[Michael82929]

February 10, 2014



Dear Atlantic Menhaden Pound Net, Otter Trawl, Gill Net, Bait Net License Holder:
New Jersey Menhaden Dealer:


As of February 10, 2014 the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife has determined that the Atlantic Menhaden quota allocated to the commercial Pound Net, Otter Trawl, Gill Net, and Bait Net fisheries will be harvested by February 12, 2014. Based upon this information and pursuant to N.J.S.A. 23:3-51.11(d)1 (L. 2013, c.74, s.13) the New Jersey directed harvest of menhaden in the commercial Pound Net, Otter Trawl, Gill Net, and Bait Net fisheries will be closed as of 11:59 PM, Wednesday, February 12, 2014.


Therefore, effective 12:00 AM, Thursday, February 13, 2014, no vessel shall land or possess nor shall any dealer accept any Atlantic menhaden harvested by Pound Net, Otter Trawl, Gill Net, or Bait Net in excess of the by-catch trip limit of 6,000 pounds through December 31, 2014. The commercial Atlantic Menhaden Pound Net, Otter Trawl, Gill Net, and Bait Net fisheries will re-open on January 1, 2015.


If the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife determines the directed commercial quota for harvesting Atlantic menhaden using Pound Net, Otter Trawl, Gill Net, or Bait Net was closed prematurely, notification re-opening those gear types will be provided.


If you have any questions, please contact the Bureau of Marine Fisheries at 609-748-2020.


Sincerely,


Brandon Muffley, Administrator
Marine Fisheries Administration


BM/PC/KS(b)

[Fishfish]

Oh boy! So exactly what does that mean? What was the quota just closed compared to the now 6000 lbs offload?.... percentage of a reduction? As charter, pb,and rec fisherman, how will this influence the supply and cost of bunker and chum? And then how about the local bait guys and docks like FS in Point where lots of bunker are brought in to be shipped? Yikes!

[Fishfish]

......"the by-catch trip limit of 6,000 pounds" Oops...by catch?

[RussA]

The part that I called them about was the 6000lb bi-catch allowed.

That is a joke right? Can you commercially harvest Stripers and blues by those means stated above in NJ with in 3 miles?

[Capt Sal]

Originally Posted by RussA

The part that I called them about was the 6000lb bi-catch allowed.

That is a joke right? Can you commercially harvest Stripers and blues by those means stated above in NJ with in 3 miles?

Blues can be gill netted with in the three mile limit in NJ but no Stripres.

[RussA]

Originally Posted by Capt Sal Cathy Sea Charters

Blues can be gill netted with in the three mile limit in NJ but no Stripres.

Thank you Sal...

[RussA]

I called and spoke with F&G and they took my email as the Biologist in charge of this will be sending out a mass email with clarification.

I will post it when I get it.

[stevelikes2fish]

6000 lbs. by-catch...........WOW.........wouldn't mind a little by-catch myself

[Capt Sal]

When we get into the month of May the bunker boats are working the the South side of Raritan Bay.NY does not not allow this on there side of the bay.We have been trying to ban them in Raritan Bay for years.Show me bunker and I will show you Stripers!Happy Russ lol. The two most useless things in Belford Are a Library and a dentist office! Catch your own bunker!Net builder Percy Wentworth from ''Staten Island NY" will be busy this year lol

[fishguy]

Does a cast net qualify as a "bait net"?